Possibilities for flexible time arrangements

FACILITATING FAMILY LEARNING ON WORK & LIFE BALANCEProject No: 502889-LLP-1-2009-1-LT-GRUNDTVIG-GMP

Possibilities for Possibilities for flexible time arrangementsflexible time arrangements

MODULE 2.MODULE 2.


To sensitize workers onTo sensitize workers on

OPPORTUNITIES andOPPORTUNITIES and

CONSTRAINTSCONSTRAINTS

on flexible time arrangements in the on flexible time arrangements in the perspective of a good work life balanceperspective of a good work life balance

MODULE 2.MODULE 2.

AIM:AIM:


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Flexible WorkingFlexible Working time arrangements: time arrangements:

WHAT and FOR WHOWHAT and FOR WHO

For employees

Makes managing Makes managing personal and family personal and family responsibilities much responsibilities much easiereasier

For employers

Reduces staff Reduces staff costscosts and need of and need of overtimeovertime

Flexible workFlexible work

any working pattern adapted to suit the employees’ and employers’ needs


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WHOMWHOM


MODULE 2. MODULE 2. LET’S CHECK WHAT YOU THINK ABOUTLET’S CHECK WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT

.

TYPES BENEFITS DRAWBACKS

Flexitime

Staggered hours

Compressed hours

Annualised hours/ Structured time off in lieu

Job sharing

Homeworking/

Teleworking

Part-time

:


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In detail: a pattern of “In detail: a pattern of “Staggered hours”Staggered hours”

“Shift system” in which work start and finish times for staff vary to allow staff coverage (i.e. longer opening hours) for defined periods (i.e. week per week, day to day).

Two existing options:Two existing options:

- - the working time is fixed and scheduled by the working time is fixed and scheduled by the employer or the head of department;the employer or the head of department;

- - the working time is arranged with the the working time is arranged with the employer and is employer and is ‘self-managed’ ‘self-managed’ by the staff by the staff within own department or office.within own department or office.

i.e. The “Island system” of Coop Liguriai.e. The “Island system” of Coop Liguria

Daniela S.Employee of Coop Liguria


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Staggered hoursStaggered hours

High commitment to the High commitment to the business and colleague;business and colleague;

Time optimization (work Time optimization (work time better fits in with time better fits in with personal time);personal time);

More time for free time More time for free time (work fits into (work fits into personal/family life);personal/family life);

Less stressLess stress

Overlapping and lonely times Overlapping and lonely times in the time schedule;in the time schedule;

In case of contingencies, to In case of contingencies, to be able to assure be able to assure replacements or effective replacements or effective solutions;solutions;

Giving up of own time option Giving up of own time option in favour of a colleague.in favour of a colleague.

BENEFITSBENEFITS DRAWBACKSDRAWBACKS


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Europe:Europe: Specific National Situations Specific National SituationsSeeking Seeking more flexibility settled at the level of enterprisemore flexibility settled at the level of enterprise

++ UK+ UK:: anyone has he right to request flexible work arrangements

++ Finland+ Finland:: prevailing full-time work, high quality day-care system,

employees can influence their working hours, 30% teleworking

++ Germany+ Germany:: highest proportion of enterprises (<50%) providing

flexible working time arrangement; right to legal claim a part-time job

++ Latvia+ Latvia:: 76% of the companies use some kind of flexible work

- - Lithuania- Lithuania:: low incidence of flexibility, informal regulation based on privilege not a right!

- - Italy- Italy:: despite economic incentive, reluctance to introduce flexibility; slight changes solely in public body and big company

EUROFOUNDEUROFOUND (www.eurofound.europa.eu) “European Company Survey 2009” “Part-time work in Europe”

OECD OECD (www.oecd.org/document/46/0,3746,en_2649_37457_40401454_1_1_1_37457,00.html) “2010 OECD Employment Outlook: Moving Beyond the Jobs Crisis”


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Additional opportunities for services Additional opportunities for services provided by companies for employeesprovided by companies for employees

Mod 2Mod 2Flexible working Flexible working

timetime

Mod 4Mod 4Promoting care for Promoting care for

dependentsdependents

Mod 6Mod 6Quality of working Quality of working

lifelife

Mod 5Mod 5Promoting care for Promoting care for

dependentsdependents


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Conditions hindering the Conditions hindering the implementation of flexible working timeimplementation of flexible working time

Lack of legislation Lack of legislation Managers’ hesitancy Managers’ hesitancy Employees’ fear of negative Employees’ fear of negative

careers consequencescareers consequences Lack of reliable access to Lack of reliable access to

relevant informationrelevant information.


BenefitsBenefits

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Increases job satisfaction and loyaltyIncreases job satisfaction and loyaltyImproves productivity and performanceImproves productivity and performanceReduces unplanned absenteeismReduces unplanned absenteeismLowers office space costs Lowers office space costs Enhances reputation of an employer of Enhances reputation of an employer of choicechoice


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CASE STUDIES ON BEST PRACTICESCASE STUDIES ON BEST PRACTICES

““Work Life Balance: how to be flexible”Work Life Balance: how to be flexible” (video clip”) Case study of Daniela S. - Coop Liguria

Aldas R. “Aldas R. “An advantage of flexible work arrangements for An advantage of flexible work arrangements for work and family balance”work and family balance” (Interview No.25)

Roberta R. “Roberta R. “At home full time in teleworking” At home full time in teleworking” (Interview No.13)

““Flexible work time arrangements for shift work” Flexible work time arrangements for shift work” (video clip) “

Britta W. “Work/life balance with work time account”Britta W. “Work/life balance with work time account” (Interview No.7)


MODULE MODULE 22.. CASE STUDIES OF BEST PRACTICES CASE STUDIES OF BEST PRACTICES

• What is your family What is your family situation? situation?

• What is the situation in your What is the situation in your company? company?

REMEMBER ….REMEMBER ….

• What kind of agreement you work with?What kind of agreement you work with?

Pictures from workshop on “Module 2” in Genoa - Italy


MODULE MODULE 22.. CASE STUDIES ON BEST PRACTICES CASE STUDIES ON BEST PRACTICES

Aim:Aim: to raise awareness of the trainees about the opportunity of a greater time flexibility in work in the perspective of a growing human, social and professional satisfaction of people involved

Task:Task: view the video clip “Work Life Balance: how to be flexible” and reflect on the questions provided below.

Duration:Duration: 60 min.

Case study Daniela S. “Benefits of flexible working time”Case study Daniela S. “Benefits of flexible working time”

Questions for reflection:Questions for reflection:

Which are the basic conditions to be respected - as for employer and employee - for managing a way of flexible organization of time table like the Daniela’s?

Which charges and engagements are expected from an employee in this arrangement?

According to you, does the ‘animator’’s role, (who is a colleague and not a boss), make easier any negotiation on flexible working time or not? The ‘animator’ is needed in negotiating a good functioning of time shifts?

Which characteristics of the relationships of the colleagues group are needed to implement such “island system”?

Do you thing that the suggested flexible way of work would assist you in finding balance between work and family life?


MODULE 2. Next stepsMODULE 2. Next steps

Suggestions for further self-readingSuggestions for further self-reading

From the Collection of Best Practices on work and life balanceCollection of Best Practices on work and life balance(www.family-learning.eu):):

Benefits of Flexible working time (n. 14);Benefits of Flexible working time (n. 14); Flexible work arrangements - great solution to work and live in balance (n.18);Flexible work arrangements - great solution to work and live in balance (n.18); Flexible work arrangements for taking care of elder mother (n. 23);Flexible work arrangements for taking care of elder mother (n. 23); The advantages of work at home for people with commitments to their families The advantages of work at home for people with commitments to their families (n. 27);(n. 27); Flexibility is very important for shift work (n. 31)Flexibility is very important for shift work (n. 31)

State of Art ReviewState of Art Review: family friendly policies and practices at work places: family friendly policies and practices at work places (www.family-learning.eu).).

Documents

Possibilities for flexible time arrangements